When added to research showing that relaxation can inhibit bad gene expression, and that meditation can grow parts of the mind associated with compassion, it should perhaps come as little surprise then that complex physical tasks can expand the number of observed white matter connections. Science demonstrates that our wetware adapts to repetitive action. And not only are we what we think, but how we move, according to the Discover blog 80Beats, which adds to this growing body of evidence by reporting on a story from the BBC.

For a look at the massively-connected mind of '08 IdeaFestival participant Vova Galchenko, check out this very well done video collage shot a few years ago. His IF Conversation is here.